Portrait art collection opens at KCKCC Gallery

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College. This is the Peacemakers Mural by Alexander Austin.
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College. This is the Peacemakers Mural by Alexander Austin.

The portrait art collection of Karen Hernandez opened Friday at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave.

The exhibit will continue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The collection includes original pieces from different local, national and international artists that celebrate black history and the beloved community, Hernandez said.

The Gallery is located in the lower level of the Jewell Building at KCKCC.

Some of the artwork on exhibit in the Hernandez collection includes a Martin Luther King portrait by Alena Galayko; a Nelson Mandela portrait by Alena Galayko; a Mayo Angelou portrait by Alena Galayko; a Martin Luther King mural pencil sketch by Alexander Austin; a Buck O’Neil pencil sketch by Alexander Austin; a photo of the Peacemakers Mural by Alexander Austin; a Martin Luther King pencil portrait by Danny Hinds; a portrait of Archbishop Desmond Tutu by Randle Head; “Black Woman,” an oil painting by Louise Brown; and several other works, including some photos by Karen Hernandez.

Another art show, by Kansas City, Mo., artist and muralist Alexander Austin, will have an opening at The Gallery at KCKCC from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20.

The Austin art exhibit will be available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 23-27.

Austin is a self-taught artist who was born in Tallahassee, Fla., and moved to Kansas City, Mo., in 1990. He painted the largest mural in Kansas City history in 2007, which is at the southern façade of the Kansas City Power and Light District.

He has painted other well-known murals in the area, including for Google Fiber, McDonalds and the Kansas City Zoo. His work has been seen in many well known publications.

Austin received the 2012 Major League Baseball Hometown Heroes Artist of the Year Award. His 30-by-50-foot mural of John “Buck” O’Neil was used for the opening of the 2012 All-Star Game, was televised worldwide on Fox Sports Network, and nominated for an Emmy.

– Information from Karen Hernandez

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The Royals are the subject of art by Alexander Austin.
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The Royals are the subject of art by Alexander Austin.

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Alexander Austin.
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Alexander Austin.

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College
Artworks and photos in the collection of Karen Hernandez are on display at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Faith news

To send in items for the Faith News, email information to news@wyandottepublishing.com. If there is inclement weather, call first to see if the event is still being held.

Christ the King Catholic School, 3027 N. 54th St., Kansas City, Kan., is planning its 12th annual auction and dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the George Meyn Community Center, Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State Avenue. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. followed by the auction at 7:15 p.m. For more information, call 913-406-4505.

Donnelly College will hold “Donnelly Talks,” an evening of thought-provoking conversation, on Wednesday, March 11. The lecture led by Monsignor Stuart Swetland, Donnelly president, and Melissa Lenos, a faculty member, will focus on pop culture in a theological setting. Titled, “From Harry Potter to the Hunger Games: Theological Perspectives on Popular Young Adult Literature,” the discussion is open to Donnelly students, faculty, staff and the public. Donnelly Talks is free and open to the public, and will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations may be made to Craig Doty, annual fund manager, at cdoty@donnelly.edu.

A community forum is planned Feb. 21 for the community to meet local law enforcement officers. The coffee and doughnuts hour is planned at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the East Fellowship Hall, Mount Zion Baptist Church, 417 Richmond Ave., Kansas City, Kan. It is a joint effort of the Kansas City, Kan., Baptist Ministers Union and participating churches, with local law enforcement officers. Police Chief Terry R. Zeigler and Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash, with some of their officers, will be the guests at the meeting. The meeting will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. According to an announcement, the purpose of the coffee hour is to acquaint the public with the police and sheriff departments, in the hope of building the best possible relationship between the community and local law enforcement agencies. The Baptist Ministers Union Civic Committee includes the Rev. C.L. Bachus, the Rev. Jimmie L. Banks, the Rev. Rickey D. Turner and the Rev. Bobby Young, president.

A weekly Scripture Group with Bible Sharing and Reflection, Lectio and Journaling, is offered from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Heather Neds is a pastoral minister and leads the group at Keeler Women’s Center. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, is planning a Sweetheart Banquet at 6 p.m. Feb. 14 at the George Meyn Center, Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State, Bonner Springs. Dinner, music and entertainment are planned. Tickets are $30 per couple. For information, call 913-314-3532. Open Door Christian School plans a chili supper and silent auction on Feb. 20. The event will raise funds that will be used for the computer technology and training program, and for a shade structure for the playground.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Parkway Baptist Church, classroom area, 12320 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

St. Mary – St. Anthony Church, 615 N. 7th St., will hold Sweetheart Bingo, an afternoon of bingo and fun, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, in Bishop Forst Hall. A $5 ticket admission will get a bingo card, free desserts, popcorn and coffee. Beer and soda will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Carol Shomin at 913-897-4833 or the parish office at 913-371-1408. Tickets may be purchased at the door the day of the event.

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., will attend a meeting of the Northeast Convocation of the Diocese of Kansas at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Leavenworth.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., is planning is StoreHouse for food and clothes distribution on Feb. 18.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Wyandotte United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 7901 Oakland Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

Send in items for the Faith news to news@wyandottepublishing.com. Include your name and contact information.

Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to news@wyandottepublishing.com and include your name and phone number. Please send in planned events by about a week before the event if possible. In the event of inclement weather, call the sponsoring organization to see if the event will be held.

Wyandotte County Museum features World War I exhibit

The Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum, 635 N. 126th, Bonner Springs, Kan., will feature a historical exhibit about the local effect of World War I, “Local Poppies: Centennial of World War I.” The exhibit will include information Wyandotte County service members, war memorabilia, propaganda posters and local memorials from Wyandotte County. This exhibit will be on display through March 20. For more information about the days and hours it is open, call 913-721-1078 or visit www.wycomuseum.org.

Project Feederwatch continues
Project Feederwatch continues at the Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road. The bird count is planned each Saturday when people sign up in advance. For more information, call 913-299-2384.

Support group for caregivers offered
A support group for caregivers is offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kan. The facilitator is Jackie Tigges, MSW, LSCSW. Caring for a loved one who is ill or dying may be difficult and it helps to be supported by others. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Support group for those with addictions offered
All Addictions Group, a support group for women dealing with any kind of addiction, at any stage of recovery, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 or register on-line at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

‘Saturdays by the Grinter Stove’ scheduled to continue Feb. 14
“Saturdays by the Grinter Stove,” a history program at Grinter Place Museum, is scheduled to continue at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the museum at 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan. There will be a program on history with lunch prepared on the Grinter wood stove. There is a charge for the program. For more information, see http://kshs.org/p/grinter-place-programs/18581#ongoing.

Help offered with health insurance enrollment
Assistance with open enrollment for health insurance will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the South Library, Study Room 2, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
Enroll Wyandotte will assist with open enrollment for health insurance from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the West Wyandotte Library auditorium, 1737 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kan.

Program offered on prehistoric Kansas
A program on prehistoric Kansas will be presented from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake, 91st and Leavenworth Road. The program is about animals that used to roam the ocean in the same place that Kansas is now. Those attending will have a chance to examine different real fossils found in Kansas. For a $1 fee, those attending can create a fossil replica to take home with them. Registration is required for this program to the library at 913-299-2384.

Quilled heart craft program offered
Make a paper quilled heart decoration at a craft program from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The program is in the youth services storytime-craft room. The program is open to ages 5 to 12. Registration is required by calling 913-279-2216. The program is limited to 20 persons.

Minnesota Avenue open house planned
The Minnesota Avenue streetscape improvements project will hold an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce office, 727 Minnesota Ave. The public may attend and ask questions.

State commissioner of education to attend listening tour here Feb. 18
The incoming state commissioner of education, Randy Watson, will hold a listening tour throughout Kansas, including one from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools Central Office, Room 131-132, at 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan. The community will have an opportunity to participate in an open conversation about the future of education in Kansas.

Candidate forum planned Feb. 19
A candidate forum is planned from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, 1310 N. 10th St., Kansas City, Kan. Candidates for the Unified Government Commission, 1st District at large, have been invited to the forum. It is sponsored by the Historic Northeast Midtown Association. The forum is open to the public.

UG Commission to meet Feb. 19; budget hearing scheduled
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at City Hall 701 N. 7th St., lobby level, Kansas City, Kan. An agenda for the meeting may be posted a few days in advance of the meeting at www.wycokck.org. A public hearing on the UG budget and community development is expected to be held at this meeting. The public may attend and make comments on the budget.

Congressional Forum to be Feb. 20
The Congressional Forum, sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 20 at the Reardon Convention Center, 5th and Minnesota Avenue. For more information, contact the chamber at 913-371-3070 or visit http://kckchamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/congressional-forum-february-2015-224.

School plans chili supper, silent auction Feb. 20
Open Door Christian School, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, plans a chili supper and silent auction on Feb. 20. The event will raise funds that will be used for the computer technology and training program, and for a shade structure for the playground.

Community meeting planned with police chief, sheriff
A community forum is planned Feb. 21 for the community to meet local law enforcement officers. The coffee and doughnuts hour is planned at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the East Fellowship Hall, Mount Zion Baptist Church, 417 Richmond Ave., Kansas City, Kan. It is a joint effort of the Kansas City, Kan., Baptist Ministers Union and participating churches, with local law enforcement officers. Police Chief Terry R. Zeigler and Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash, with some of their officers, will be the guests at the meeting. The meeting will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. According to an announcement, the purpose of the coffee hour is to acquaint the public with the police and sheriff departments, in the hope of building the best possible relationship between the community and local law enforcement agencies. The Baptist Ministers Union Civic Committee includes the Rev. C.L. Bachus, the Rev. Jimmie L. Banks, the Rev. Rickey D. Turner and the Rev. Bobby Young, president.

State of the UG address planned Feb. 24
Mayor Mark Holland plans to give the State of the Government address at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Reardon Center, 5th and Minnesota, Kansas City, Kan. The event is during a luncheon sponsored by the Downtown KCK Rotary Club. Tickets are $24 and are available at kcksotg.brownpapertickets.com. The deadline to purchase tickets is Feb. 17. For more information, call the mayor’s office at 913-573-5010 or contact MayorHolland@wycokck.org.

Dinner, auction planned Feb. 27 to raise funds for school
Christ the King Catholic School, Kansas City, Kan., is planning its 12th annual auction and dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the George Meyn Community Center, Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State Avenue. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. followed by the auction at 7:15 p.m. For more information, call 913-406-4505.

Chamber plans annual meeting March 6
The Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce plans its annual meeting at 11 a.m. March 6 at the Reardon Convention Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The guest speaker will be Cathy Clegg, vice president, North American manufacturing, General Motors. For more information, call 913-371-3070.

Lecture to discuss intermingling of theology and popular literature
Donnelly College will hold “Donnelly Talks,” an evening of thought-provoking conversation, on Wednesday, March 11. The lecture led by Monsignor Stuart Swetland, Donnelly president, and Melissa Lenos, a faculty member, will focus on pop culture in a theological setting. Titled, “From Harry Potter to the Hunger Games: Theological Perspectives on Popular Young Adult Literature,” the discussion is open to Donnelly students, faculty, staff and the public. Donnelly Talks is free and open to the public, and will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations may be made to Craig Doty, annual fund manager, at cdoty@donnelly.edu.

Counseling offered
Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers individual and couples counseling to women and men who might otherwise not be able to afford counseling. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to do an intake and schedule an appointment.